Warning after Australian town blocks Islamic school proposal

A member of Australia's Muslim community has warned that hostility towards Islamic schools could force religious education underground, where children are more likely to be targeted by extremists.

Ikebal Patel, the president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, said blocking Islamic schools could lead to "Muslim children being given their religious education in backyards and garages by teachers whose credentials no one could vet. You may have some very extreme imams or religious teachers getting through to the children."

Islamic schools should be encouraged because teaching would be supervised by state boards of education, he added.

Patel was commenting on a decision by a council on the outskirts of Sydney this week to reject a proposal for an Islamic school. Camden council unanimously rejected the application for the 1,200 pupil school, citing planning and environmental reasons, but the decision was hailed as a victory for hundreds of residents who had vehemently opposed the scheme.

Tensions within Camden, a semi-rural area, had been building since the school's backer, the Qu'uranic Society, revealed its plans. Two pigs' heads, impaled on stakes, were left on the proposed site and riot police had to be called to break up one meeting of anti-school supporters.

Locals who had no objections were outnumbered by those who said they did not want an influx of Muslims in their mainly Christian town. Resident Kate McCulloch, draped in an Australian flag, was a cheerleader for the anti-school brigade and said Muslims were not welcome.

"We don't want them here. We don't want them in Australia. They're an oppressive society," she said. The inflammatory atmosphere was stoked up by members of Australia First, a far-right party which bussed demonstrators into the area.

The decision to deny the planning application has reignited debate about Australia's attitude to multiculturalism. There are more than 400,000 Muslims among Australia's 21 million population, more than half of that number live within the Sydney area. In 2005 anti-Muslim sentiment boiled over in the suburb of Cronulla when rioters targeted people of Middle Eastern appearance.

Ali Roude, the president of the Islamic Council of New South Wales, said other mosques, Islamic centres and schools were being rejected under a smokescreen of planning problems. "It does not help the image of Australia because we should be taking pride in setting an example to the whole world that we can live together. I think they have to come to terms with the reality that ... there will be a change."

Camden mayor Chris Patterson reiterated yesterday that the school had been rejected because of planning problems. "It is not a religious or nationalistic issue," he said. Mr Patterson said the Qu'uranic society would be welcome to submit plans for a more appropriate site. "I'm all for a choice of educational facilities."

The matter is expected to go to appeal before the land and environment court.